AMRITSAR: The officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, has welcomed the Government of India’s decision to allow the annual Sikh Jatha to visit Sri Nankana Sahib and other historic shrines in Pakistan on the occasion of the Parkash Gurpurb (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He termed this as the fulfillment of the ardent Ardas (prayers) of the Sikh community.
He said that according to the agreement between India and Pakistan, Sikh jathas go every year to pay obeisance at gurdwaras situated in Pakistan, but the earlier decision of the Government not to send the jatha this year had deeply hurt Sikh sentiments.
He further stated that it is commendable that the Government of India, while respecting the sentiments of Sikh institutions and the community, has reconsidered its September 12 decision of not sending the jatha and has approved to send the same. Jathedar Gargajj said that Sikhs and devotees of Sri Guru Nanak Dev across the world celebrate his Parkash Gurpurb with great devotion every year, and every Sikh longs to visit the sacred birthplace of the Guru Sahib at Sri Nankana Sahib.
He emphasized that Sikh jathas must continue to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan regularly, as this helps strengthen communal harmony and improve relations between the two nations. He added that peace and stability in the region require good relations between India and Pakistan, and both countries should also open trade routes with each other.
The Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib also asked the Government of India to reopen Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, which has been closed since the time of heightened tensions, so that devotees unable to join the jathas can still pay obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Kartarpur Sahib, and spiritually enrich their lives. He also appreciated the efforts of Sikh organizations, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), and various Sikh personalities who pursued correspondence with the Government for the restoration of the jathas.
Meanwhile Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, has welcomed the Indian government's decision to allow a jatha of Sikh pilgrims to visit Sri Nankana Sahib and other Gurdwaras in Pakistan on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
He said that this decision of the government has come to light through media reports, which the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee appreciates.
The President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee said that the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib is of great importance not only for the Sikh world but also for the entire humanity. On this occasion, the desire of the Sikh Sangat to visit the birth place of Guru Sahib, Sri Nankana Sahib, and express their devotion is emotional. He said that the decision to ban the Sikh Jatha in the past had disappointed the Sangat, due to which the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had appealed to the government to reconsider its decision. In this regard, a letter was written to the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, four days ago on 29 September 2025, which is satisfactory for the government to consider.
Advocate Dhami said that the decision taken by the Government of India respects the sentiments of the Sikh community, for which we, on behalf of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, thank the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of the country.
Advocate Dhami said that every year the Sikh community submits passports for this pilgrimage with great hope, but when news of the Jatha not going is made, the religious sentiments of the community are hurt.
He said that this pilgrimage is a symbol of mutual solidarity and strengthening of relationships, the continuity of which is very important. The SGPC President also appealed to the government to open the corridor of Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib.